Federal election 2105

Federal election 2105

 

Federal election candidates spoke out about their responsibilities if chosen to represent the Bow River riding and discussed their roles if elected as a Member of Parliament.

 

 

Fahed Khalid
Democratic Advancement Party of Canada
By being elected MP one has to realize that one is a public servant. The salary is paid for by the taxpayers who have elected you, therefore you are accountable to them. If one does not have this as their foundation, then accountability goes out the window. That is why candidates make promises and do not always deliver because there is no accountability. Also what happens if a MP votes a certain way the constituents do not agree with?This is another issue of accountability and tax payers should question how much thought is given to accountability by the other parties and what recourse tax payers have to hold parties and the elected MP accountable!
I see my role as being a public servant and representing the voters who have elected me. I should be held accountable for the promises I make and the decisions I take. I work and pay my taxes just like the tax payers that will be voting for me and I am not looking to ride the gravy train as the saying goes for the typical politician. I am just like the regular taxpayer; therefore I will do what is in the best interest of the taxpayers in my riding. I will also follow through on the promises that I make. Sounds great now how do taxpayers hold me accountable? Well unlike most parties, the DAPC has recall in its constitution. This means that I can be recalled from my position if I am not fulfilling the promises I made and voting in way that is not beneficial to the taxpayers. This sounds trivial and would be expected of any MP, however with no accountability, the recourse the taxpayers can take it very limited which is the case in the current political system today with most parties and candidates.
There are responsibilities that are important too. Responsibilities include identifying, raising and addressing issues. I can do this myself as most MPs do when elected. However a more efficient and effective way would be doing this together with the constituents and hearing their voices too. This will allow for all issues and items to be addressed. This will be done by engaging and making me available to the constituents. Unlike most MPs who are seen every four years during election time only, I will hold regular open houses and will travel to the communities and the constituents so we can work together at a grassroots level to discuss and address the issues.

 

 

Frans VandeStroet

Christian Heritage Party (CHP Canada)
A small miracle needs to take place to get elected as the MP of a small party in our not so democratic first-past-the-post electoral system. However, if elected, I will represent ALL Bow River constituents in Ottawa to the best of my ability. I would want to play an active role in the pro-life caucus in Ottawa. Better access to export markets for our agricultural industries and for the oil and gas sector would be something I work on. Another item I would want to focus on is real environmental protection, fighting real pollution, instead of wasting our time on vague problems like climate change. Democratic reform would be high on my agenda! The CHP is in favour of a more democratic system of (mixed) proportional representation. Last but not least, it’s also high time for real changes in our immigration system. Many farmers in Western Canada and also other businesses like the beef processing plant in Brooks have a hard time to find qualified labour. After endless reforms in our immigration system, it’s still a nightmare to hire qualified foreign workers. Something needs to change here, skilled workers should be the main focus of our immigration program. However, the CHP is not in favour of unlimited immigration. Some foreign cultures are incompatible with our Western culture. Just look at the Muslim ghettos around cities like Paris with zero integration taking place, rather the opposite, dangerous segregation. This is slowly turning into a disaster for Europe, and if we don’t watch out, also for North America! Some of today’s immigrants are not like the immigrants that built North America in the past. Some immigrants are simply not able and/or willing to integrate into our society. We need to become more selective in the countries where we source our immigrants from! That has nothing to do with racism, it is common sense policy! In all cases Canada should play a big role in helping to mitigate the refugee crises in this world, with a major focus on improving living conditions in the areas where these people come from.

 

 

Lynn MacWilliam
NDP
As the Member of Parliament for the federal riding of Bow River, I will work for my constituents. I worked for a lot of MPs and I learned from the best how to be a good constituent MP.
I will ensure that I have good staff to help constituents work their way through the red tape of government. I will meet with constituents to talk about federal issues and my role in dealing with them. I will hold town-hall meetings to talk about what’s happening in Ottawa.
It is important that MPs work with communities, and organizations and groups within those communities, to help and advise them of programs that may be available for their use to promote and grow.
In Ottawa, I will do my duty and represent the riding of Bow River to the best of my ability. I will ensure that issues of concern to constituents are brought to the forefront. If I find there are changes needed to legislation, I will bring that forward.
As a Member of Parliament in Ottawa, there are duties to attend to. Not only in the House of Commons during question period and debates, but on committees to review legislation.
With all the scandals in Ottawa, I will promise you that I will not abuse my position. I will be open and transparent with your tax dollars.
If I am elected as the Member of Parliament for Bow River, I promise to listen to my constituents and work with them to make life better. I am a good listener and a hard worker.

 

 

Martin Shields
Conservative Party of Canada
My role as your MP is as complicated as it is simple – to act as an advocate and ambassador for the people, businesses, industries and environment of the Bow River Riding. To be your voice at the tables that matter to our families and businesses. I will make it my responsibility to ensure that these unique voices are heard in Ottawa. If a decision is being made that will affect our lifestyle or livelihoods, I will be involved in that decision.
Whether the topic be the economy, environment, immigration, security or infrastructure, a re-elected Conservative government will continue to provide stability and growth for our communities. My role will to be to ensure the your message is delivered, your issues are heard and our riding prospers under a strong Conservative government.

 

 

William MacDonald Alexander
Liberal Party

My role as an elected MP is to listen to the concerns of constituents and to ensure that legislation being tabled addresses those concerns. But most importantly I must make myself available to resolve issues constituents have in the riding and work to make the voices of Bow River residents heard in Ottawa. Ultimately I am the representative of Bow River and will wok my hardest to have our concerns addressed.
A Liberal government is committed to opening up Parliament and giving its members the ability to have more free votes and the ability to make decisions based on what’s best for the riding and its constituents, rather than what is most advantageous politically at the time. This commitment to a more open government will ensure that the constituents of Bow River have a strong voice in Parliament.

Green Party candidate Rita Fromholt was not available for comment as of press time.